Elizabeth "Betsy" Austin Conzelman

Elizabeth “Betsy” Austin Conzelman, 65, of New Bern, NC, passed away on July 21, 2026. Betsy was born in Italy to her Vermont Army family—Peter Smith and Mary Roberta Austin Conzelman—while they were stationed at Camp Darby in Tuscany.

Family was her rock through every move as an Army brat: siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. She gathered stories of our ancestors like manna and built a vast family tree. She delighted in each niece and nephew as they arrived. Creative and playful, she made family time fun by organizing all kinds of events. She was especially close to her father and was his buddy in many Fairfield Harbour adventures—she was so like him in many ways.

She earned an electrical engineering degree from the University of Vermont in Burlington. Her first career with the National Security Agency gave her opportunities for travel: she looked over the Berlin Wall before it fell, got lost driving through a rice paddy in Japan, and became a certified scuba diver at the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. She later earned a second degree in civil engineering in Connecticut. She thrived in New Bern focusing on trusses, structural support, and the integrity of the buildings she helped shape. Collaboration with local contractors was one of the most rewarding aspects of her career.

One of Betsy’s passions was singing in her church sanctuary and resurrection choirs. She was delighted to sing with the International Church Music Festival chorus in Bern, Switzerland, in 2001. After she lost her parents, she said her church choir family lifted her from her grief. First Presbyterian Church became her anchor; she never missed a televised service during her illness and sang along from her bed. Maundy Thursday was her favorite service because the music was made for altos. She also served as an Elder and shared her engineering talents on the Property Committee. She sang in the Craven Messiah Chorus for 25 years.

She was patriotic. After 9/11, her heart broke for the children who died on their way to a special event. She memorized their names and prayed for them each year. She eagerly accepted the chance to design the 9/11 memorial on Broad Creek Road. She and the committee were determined to help the community heal. She was a dedicated member of the Daughters of the American Revolution’s Richard Dobbs Spaight Chapter and loved researching and sharing stories during the “Defense Message” portion of the meetings.

Her neighbors were dear friends—sailing together, singing in Fairfield Harbour Chorus, and helping one another during hurricanes. Her early morning walking group energized her with lively conversation and steadfast support. She could never find sufficient words for how deeply meaningful they were to her. Many gatherings next door were filled with laughter and love.

She is survived by her brother Clair (Maria), brother Peter (Victoria), sister Susan, and sister Cathy (Jon Larcheveque); and beloved nephews Bobby (Viktoriya), Trevor Larcheveque (Sarah), and JC; and nieces Tara (Jason), Julie Larcheveque, Lauren, Tasha, and Catlin. She was the family genealogist, with a deep love of Vermont and the ancestors who arrived there from Quebec, New Amsterdam, and the Mayflower.

The family would like to thank Dr. Cho’s team at Carolina East and the doctors and nurses at Duke University for helping her navigate her illness with pancreatic cancer. We are also grateful to Craven County Hospice and the friends and neighbors who helped us care for her at home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of New Bern’s music program or the Colonial Capital Humane Society.

Her memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of New Bern on Monday, August 3, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow in the Session House. Her ashes will be buried at the Austin family plot in Lakeview Cemetery in Burlington, Vermont.

Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the family and friends of Elizabeth “Betsy” Austin Conzelman.